Pearls of Wisdom For Kingdom Living By Pastor George Belobaba

Three Overcomers In Times Of Pressure, Pt. 2

Daniel overcame the flesh… Daniel 1:3-4,8,17…“And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans . . .But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself . . . As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” (KJV).

Daniel lived in times of great pressure. He was a young man without blemish, well favored, and had purposed in his heart to keep free from defilement. He refused to eat the king’s flesh. Flesh here stands for carnal things, the cravings of the flesh. Today this would mean that Daniel chose to not participate in a hedonistic society. The word “hedonistic” means “the pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to pleasures of the senses.” Daniel overcame by “purposing in his heart”; in other words, he made a decision and stood by it. Psalm 135:14 reads, “For the Lord will judge and vindicate His people, and He will delay His judgments [manifesting His righteousness and mercy] and take into favor His servants [those who meet His terms of separation unto Him]” (Amplified).

Job overcame the devil…Job 1:8-22… “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (KJV).

The devil touched everything that Job had. He lost his children, his workers, his crops, his livestock, his finances, and his home, and through it all he retained his integrity. Job did not blame God for his troubles; he worshiped. The devil can never overcome a person who can worship God in times of trouble. Matter of fact, when the trial was over, Job was received a double portion for all that he had lost. David in Psalm 4:1 said, “Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress” (KJV).

Ezekiel 14:14…“Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD” (NKJV). Noah overcame the external pressures of the world, Daniel overcame the internal pressures of the flesh, Job overcame the pressures of the devil, and you can overcome also. The grace of God brought you into a relationship with Him; you can communicate with God like Noah, you can receive skill and wisdom like Daniel, and you can speak words of faith like Job and break the devil’s yoke. Revelation 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (KJV).